The quarterback battle in Cleveland has been one of the most discussed issues this offseason, and early signs suggest a clear frontrunner. With minicamp approaching, the Browns appear eager to avoid the uncertainty that hurt them last season.
Into that mix steps second-year Shedeur Sanders, tasked with closing a huge gap in a short amount of time. Meanwhile, veteran Deshaun Watson is gaining internal backing as he looks to reclaim his status.
Shedeur Sanders Faces 6-Week Deadline as Deshaun Watson Leads Browns QB1 Race
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot outlined the current state of the competition in her latest report, making it clear that Watson holds the early advantage.
“Deshaun Watson emerged from the Browns voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition — and has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1, sources tell cleveland.com,” Cabot wrote, reflecting what team observers have seen during early offseason work.
She also highlighted the urgency surrounding the decision. “Todd Monken hopes to declare — or at least identify — his starter by the end of Browns minicamp June 9-11, meaning Sanders has about six weeks to close the gap and try to overtake the former three-time Pro Bowler,” her report mentioned, and that timeline leaves little margin for error for the second-year quarterback, who must impress quickly.
Cabot further emphasized the scale of the task ahead: “He’s got plenty of ground to make up, and will have to dazzle the coaching staff to land atop the depth chart heading into training camp. The Browns learned the hard way last year that their four-way quarterback competition in camp set the first-team offense back and didn’t enable the starter to develop timing and chemistry with his supporting cast.”
From a performance standpoint, Sanders’ numbers suggest he still has room to grow. According to PFSN’s Quarterback Impact Metrics, he recorded a 56.9 QBi score with a below-average F grade, ranking No. 46 among quarterbacks. Those figures underline why the coaching staff may lean toward experience early in the process.
While Sanders works to close the gap, Watson continues to receive strong support within the organization. Browns executive vice president JW Johnson III publicly backed the veteran field general, pointing to both his health and mindset.
“Deshaun looks great by the way, he’s done a great job, he looks healthy, he’s in a great head space,” – @JDubsIII on Browns QB Deshaun Watson. pic.twitter.com/F819UFXnEy
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) April 29, 2026
“Deshaun looks great, by the way,” Johnson said on ESPN Cleveland. “He’s done a great job. He looks healthy. He’s in a great headspace. We’ll see how it all shakes out. There is an ongoing competition, but he’s got nothing to lose.”
Johnson also addressed the external perception surrounding Watson, suggesting the franchise is prepared to give Watson every opportunity to reestablish himself.
“And if he’s our starting QB, I know there are people that probably won’t be supportive, but they should need to be supportive as much as they can. If he plays great, then, hey, awesome. If he doesn’t, then it is what it is, and we’re looking ahead to the future.” Johnson added.
Watson’s experience remains a key factor. Despite injuries limiting him to 19 games since 2022 and a 9-10 record as a starter in Cleveland, he still offers a strong production that none of the younger QBs can match.
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With a decision expected by mid-June, the Browns are entering a vital evaluation period. The coaching staff, led by Todd Monken, appears intent on identifying a starter early to build continuity within the offense. That approach reflects lessons learned from last season’s extended competition.
For Sanders, the path is clear but demanding — he must deliver standout performances in a short window to shift the narrative.
